Beta-Pi-Blog: 2025

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2025, No.02 – ATO Class of 75 50th Reunion

Beta Pi:

IS BETA PI BLOG without any redeeming social or artistic merit?

YEA . . . . or

NAY?

Beta Pi Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog is not to be taken seriously - it is meant for fun.

The Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It includes

pictures, links, Archives of previous issues, and other timewasters.

To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com

* * *

You know something, there is an issue I want to set the record straight on. Two Brothers, over the years, Vinny Starr being one, and I will not name the other, have referred to the Reunion experience as being for “reliving the College experience." Vinny once admitted to me and Buck that he never brings his wife to Reunions because he wants to “relive” his college days. Each to his own. He and Buck then proceed, every year, to drink each other under the table. Not me.

As you may know, I am clean and sober now since June 1991, 34 years, the best years of my life. I am comfortable enough being around my friends who drink. Drink all you want, just be who you are I say.

For the record, the Beta-Pi-Blog, that’s me, I am all about promoting the idea of "living in the here and now." I write a lot in my poetry about “being in the moment.” Yeah, I like to toss around memories as much as the next bastard, but I try very hard to balance that with living in the moment in my Blog.

Hear that Buck, "Old Topper”.

So, I like having women around. When this Blog started 19 years ago,

Matt Hart himself encouraged me to “invite the gal-pals.” So we do. And having the gals around makes life in the moment so much richer, Vinny.

Tison, thanks for inviting the Gal-Pals.

* * *

POETRY CORNER

I don’t write about myself much in the blog. After this year I might continue Beta-Pi-Blog for a few years, there are guys in 76 and 77 that I want to write about.

After these years blogging about ATO, I thought I'd write about myself, here is a short history.

I fell in love with poetry at CMA, Columbia Military Academy where I went to High School.

The first poet who enchanted me was Walt Whitman.

At Vanderbilt I studied poetry and poetry writing. (And played and sang and chased girls, using my songs to attract girls. Any guitar player who is honest will tell you the same.)

Mr. James Seay, the Resident Poet who wore a patch over his eye, called my best poem “archetypal” and it was published in Versus. That was a very real moment of realization in my life. My poetry mattered. I was, as you might imagine, thrilled and more determined than ever to be a writer and Poet. Writing. Doing what I loved, my passion.

I need to say, during my songwriting years, one of the greatest thrills I had was when my dear friend, Brother BEN PEDIGO, took me with him to John Hartford’s house (Gentle on My Mind). Ben was taking his music to John Hartford, I had the privilege of tagging along. I got to meet one of the greatest songwriters of our time, at his own house on the Cumberland River, thanks to my friend Ben. Ben and I also co-wrote a song when I visited him in Atlanta. I will always remember your support and kindnesses Ben, and I will always treasure that you thought enough of my writing to co-write with me. Also, thank you for turning me on to Emmy Lou Harris.

After college and my 2 years in the U.S. Army, in 1977 I moved to Nashville to write songs.

I managed to get in with a great Songwriter, Mac Gayden who had a monster hit in the 60’s “Everlasting Love”. Yeah. Mac liked my songs, and he mentored me, we co-wrote a lot of songs. Mac liked my own songs so much that one night I was in my studio recording my best song, Mac showed up uninvited and played on it, and we stayed up all night. I played piano, guitar, vocals, Mac played bass, dual slide guitars and goatskin drum. We mixed it, and next morning we drove straight to the Publisher, Mac said “Larry, I think this is the one to get you going.” So, I had the thrill of writing and recording with Mac Gayden, one of the original “Nashville Cats.”

In 1982 when my son Andrew Taylor Simons (a very gifted Bassist and Guitarist) was born, I knew I had to get a real career. In 1983, I went to Night Law School, and in 1988 began my 37 year career as a Trial Lawyer. This month on August 1^st, I stopped taking new clients and am winding my practice down.

A Poetry hero of mine, the great Wallace Stevens also had a day job, he was an Insurance Agent, he woke up at 5:00 a.m. every morning to write poetry. Yeah.

All this time, I wrote Poetry at night, I published 2 books, one in 2014, and the second in 2015. I have my manuscript for book 3 ready, my poems for the last 10 years, which I plan to publish later this year. I have always followed my dreams. My passion has always been writing, music and poetry. No regrets, I have “lived my life” as they say.

My closest and best friend STEVEN "VINNY" STARR surprised me by flying to Nashville to attend my first Book Release Event at Parnassus Book Store. Vinny, I will always treasure our friendship, and that you thought enough of my passion for poetry to make a special effort to be at my Book Event.

Here is a new poem, recently I put online that went “viral” – I got 1.7K views the first week, called

“I Need to Cry.” I guess folks must be interested in men “having feelings” -- who’d have ever imagined that? – HAAA! I have learned a thing or two over the years, depression is worry over the past. Anxiety is worry over the future. Think about it.

I fiddled with the video, couldn't get it to post here. If you are interested (I am guessing maybe 10% of you are interested in poetry, check out my poetry YouTube Channel @lawrencesimons2775, and do me a huge favor and subscribe (it's free).

Here is the poem, as it will appear in my 3^rd Book of poetry:

“Billy would cry when he thought of the future.”

Sting, from “Island of Souls”

I NEED TO CRY

People expect men

not to have feelings,

not to show feelings.

This was the way of things

in my childhood.

So I worked at that,

on having my feelings,

on naming my feelings.

On letting it be alright for me

to have and express feelings.

Along the way I learned

something strange. Some feelings

are just mysterious, and hard to name.

And when I feel that way

I can’t shake the feeling.

And I can’t name the feeling.

It is like being frozen stiff.

I feel like I need to cry.

And yet I cannot cry.

There are no tears.

Only the odd feeling that

I need to cry.

* * *

TISON KEEL, STILL AT THE WHEEL, PART 2!

Tison has been one of our greatest “Point Men”. Tison deserves our thanks for working so hard to persuade our guys to come back. Thank you Tison!

Here is the latest from Brother Too Tall Tison on who is expected to show, and who are the “wafflers” for our 1975 ATO Class Reunion.

“Sorry for the delay, brother, some minor s### came up last night.

Confirmed: Larry, Buck, Vinny, Me, Earl, Matt B, Pedigo, Harpo.

Likely, but unconfirmed: Jeff Overby, Arthur Landry, Frank Collins, Gene Y, Barb Miller, Katie Herrington, Kell Toomay (my date Junior year).

Chet Brewer was the guy I offered to drive up with from South Florida; he's still unconfirmed.

Out, but out, but out (or no response); Aylward, Noel, Yonge.

Tison

tison.keel@hotmail.com
+1-845-664-2431 (cell)

THANK YOU MIGHTY BRO TISON! YOU ARE INDEED, A MAN AMONG MEN! WE ALL MISS CHESTER, I HOPE SINCERELY HE WILL CUT THE BULLSHIT AND SHOW.

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

Here is a reminder of the brothers and sisters we have lost.

GEORGE WEST CRAFTON, died June 18, 2025. Obituary at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home..

Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home

CLAUDE CARR CODY, IV, died February 8, 2022.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol. 2022, No. 01

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/claude-cody-obituary?id=32988710

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

ROBERT LOUIS CROSSLEY, JR., died October 24, 2019.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.03.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/knoxnews/name/robert-crossley-obituary?pid=194272149

MARK B. ROCKEY, died Sept. 27, 2020.

ANTHONY GUY MIRANDA, died June 18, 2019

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2019, No.04. Archive: ___ 2019

Obituary: http://www.brinsfieldfuneral.com/obituary/anthony-guy-miranda

MARK McGANN, died December 10, 2018.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2018, No.07. Archive: Dec. 2018

BECKY BRUNING MANYAK, died October 19, 2017.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.07. Archive: Sept. 2017

Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=rebecca-manyak&pid=187110606

ROB BLANKENHORN, died December 2016.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, (See Comment by Dick Stoner). Archive: Sept. 2017

https://www.nashvillefuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/james-blankenhorn

EDWARD G. “TED” STEPHANY, died January 20, 2016.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.01, Archive: Jan. 2016

J. NEAL CRENSHAW, died November 12, 2014.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.08, Archive: Nov. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.10, Archive: Dec. 2014

MILES WALSH, died in July 2013.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.05, Comments Section (over 50 comments), Archive: Aug.2013

DAVID HOWE, died November 30, 2006.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.68, Archive: Dec. 2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007

KURT WAGNER, died in July 2002.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.02, Archive: Jan. 2016

ALEXANDER WILSON, died April 9, 1977.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.25, Lowenstein Essay Contest. Archive: Aug. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.33, Honoring Alex and Laura. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.45, Tale-o-Pig-Roast. Archive: Sept. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.50, Winner Essay Contest. Archive: Oct. 2006
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, Alexander Wilson. Archive: Sept. 2017

Alex and Laura are buried at the Nashville National Cemetery. The cemetery is at 1420 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115. Alex and Laura are at Section KK, Site 794.

* * *

THE ARCHIVES

To explore the “Archives” in this Blog – go to the top of the latest “blog issue,” on the right. You access it by clicking on the Month and Year, and it will drop down with choices. For example, if you click on December 2006, a list will drop down listing all issues that were published that month. Click on an issue, and you can then post a comment to that issue. It’s never too late to post a comment, right?

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HOW TO POST OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments – below my signature block.

* * *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of August 4, 2025, there are 136 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 15 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72

Friday, February 21, 2025

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2025, No.01 – Still Alive in ‘25

Beta Pi:

IS BETA PI BLOG without any redeeming social or artistic merit?

YEA . . . . or

NAY?

Beta Pi Blog’s purpose: to bring ATO, Beta Pi Chapter Brothers and ATO Gal-Pals together. The blog is not to be taken seriously -

Photo by Clark Thomas

it is meant for fun.

The Beta Pi Blog is non-political. It includes

pictures,

links,

Archives

of previous issues, and

other timewasters.

To get there, go to web address: http://beta-pi-blog.blogspot.com

* * *

BEN PEDIGO BREAKDOWN

I had a nice conversation with our friend and Brother BEN PEDIGO. As you know, Ben is a World Class Banjo Master, and that is no exaggeration, Ben took a Semester off to play with Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys, and Ben has played on Norman Blake recordings. Yeah.

Well, never one to shy away from a challenge, Ben has taken up playing Pedal Steel Guitar! For those who are not musicians, let’s just say Pedal Steel Guitar is a very difficult instrument, you have both hands working the strings, and both feet working foot pedals, and as if that is not enough, both knees working knee levers.

Anyway, Ben and his son, and Fiddler Harrison Pedigo have formed a Band they call The Harry Pedigo Band, and Ben said last year they did 40 dates!

Ben sent some great pictures from the old days.

Chris "The Greek" Regas

Sean Walsh and other mystery dudes

Miles Walsh, Art Landry & Doug Campbell

Miles Walsh

Thanks for the pics Ben!

I asked Ben to give us a little background on his music and his son Harrison’s band, and he sent this note:

Larry-

. . . You are right, initially we started out as an acoustic trio and had a Bluegrass repertoire. With Harry's interest in R&R/Americana we shifted to more of an electric set up and added a drummer. As we developed a more electric centered song list, I initially added a pickup on my banjo.

Then about 2 years ago I found an older pedal steel guitar and started playing on sets. As we focused more on country music we added an electric guitarist.

We have a 5-piece band now -- Harry's song writing is more of a country base -- maybe more Bakersfield/LA than Nashville right now but we are starting to incorporate more songs that have that Nashville sound.

Thanks Ben, that is frickin' awesome! It blows my mind that you just picked up pedal steel! What an amazing gift you have. . . looking forward to seeing you in November!

* * *

BILL PRICE REPORTING!

Blog Correspondent BILL PRICE reports that CHESTER BREWER has survived the Liver Transplant he underwent in May 2024.

Bill said Chet is almost off the Organ Rejection Medicine, and is feeling strong. Bill said Chet welcomes all calls of encouragement. You can reach Chet at WCBLAW@AOL.COM, and (561) 308-3681.

Bill thanks for this update.

Chet, we are praying for you and hope to see you in November!

* * *

TISON KEEL, STILL AT THE WHEEL!

Few guys who have served as Point Man have done so as enthusiastically as TISON KEEL. Several weeks after serving as Point Man for our 2020 CLASS OF 75 REUNION (which didn’t happen until 2022 due to COVID), Tison contacted me and said he wanted to be permanent 1975 Point Man! Tison, I love your dedication to Beta Pi, we are fortunate to have you at the wheel!

So, Tison sends us this feature!

What were you doing 50 years ago in February 1975? Besides delving into what might have been your last semester of classwork at Vandy, were you enjoying the companionship of your ATO brothers for dinners and

rousing games of Wales Tales, fueled by draft beer from the basement beer box, purchased from Waxie's Pub, and kept stocked by yours truly, Worthy Master of the Keg? (Such hijinks are unspeakable in today's college life, lest you and your frat rat brothers be cancelled, banned, ghosted, or worse: kicked off campus, your Beta Pi House converted into a halfway house for recovering UT meth heads.

Photo by Clark Thomas

Or, perhaps you were looking forward to your last Shipwreck party, which was shaping up to be the most spectacular ever. The basement pool had been enlarged, with a larger frame and custom-made lining thanks to generous alums; no more old tarp from under the dusty bleachers of Dudley Field, as the tradition had begun. The pool would be filled and warmed up through the efforts of Worthy House Manager, Matt (Maaaatt) Yonge. The brothers had enjoyed, but tired, of the formal bash being held at the mystic country party-place, Riverwood Riding Academy.

In 1975, some adventurous and enterprising brothers, Chet Brewer prominent among them, had explored and recommended the aging, deteriorating, somewhat down-in-the-dumps, but still stunning, brimming with old world charm Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, steps away from the State Capital building. Maybe, like me, you had already reserved a room for you and your date but had not yet gotten the nerve to suggest such a scandalous idea to her yet.

The build-up was exciting, and event certainly did not disappoint. We had a good band in the old, beautiful (if dingy) ballroom, plenty of artificial stimulants, and rooms upstairs where we could retire for mid-revel and after-hours communing with our Tic brothers and their wenches. What a blast! No doubt we could not afford the same kind of evening at the Hermitage, nor would they even consider having us there, since the place has cleaned up, and is a classic gem of a boutique hotel.

Here's what the Lobby and Ballroom; where we imbibed, danced with our dates, smoked cigars and generally reveled as only Tics could do; look like now - vaguely familiar, but cleaned up nicely, I would say.

Be a Quinq: Reminisce these and many other wonderful memories with many of your beloved (ILAMATOB😎) Beta Pi mateys on the weekend of November 6-9, 2025 at the 50-year reunion for the VU Class of 1975. We were the 100^th graduating class at Vandy, so they and we will be celebrating 150 years of Vandy men and women.

We already are building a stellar lineup of notables, many of whom have rarely or never attended a reunion:

“Earl S” Stover,

“Matt B” Blankenship,

“Ben P” Pedigo

have indicated high probability, along with the usual suspects:

Bozo, Vinny, Buck,

“Leapin'” Gene Young,

J.D. Strickland.

Hoping to rope in

Chet Brewer, Harpo, Ralph & Ed,

Jack “Muenchy” Muench & Pierce Hodnette

along with some cameo appearances by frequent past legendary attendees from the classes of '73, '74, '76, and '77.

The calendar will include the traditional ATO events: House drop-in, Gravesite Memorial for Alex and Laura, post-game 18^th Annual ATO Dinner, in addition to the Vandy-sponsored get-togethers centered around the VU-Auburn football game on Saturday.

Please show up! We've few future opportunities to renew our old and lasting friendships, in a brotherhood based upon eternal and immutable principles, with a bond as strong as right itself, and as lasting as humanity. Besides, it will be a gas!

Tison

tison.keel@hotmail.com
+1-845-664-2431 (cell)

Thanks Tison, awesome Feature!

* * *

KEEPING TABS:

Here is a reminder of the brothers and sisters we have lost.

CLAUDE CARR CODY, IV, died February 8, 2022.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol. 2022, No. 01

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/claude-cody-obituary?id=32988710

DAVID W. HAINES, JR., died January 17, 2021.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.01

ROBERT LOUIS CROSSLEY, JR., died October 24, 2019.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2021, No.03.

Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/knoxnews/name/robert-crossley-obituary?pid=194272149

ANTHONY GUY MIRANDA, died June 18, 2019

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2019, No.04. Archive: ___ 2019

Obituary: http://www.brinsfieldfuneral.com/obituary/anthony-guy-miranda

MARK McGANN, died December 10, 2018.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2018, No.07. Archive: Dec. 2018

BECKY BRUNING MANYAK, died October 19, 2017.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.07. Archive: Sept. 2017

Obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?n=rebecca-manyak&pid=187110606

ROB BLANKENHORN, died December 2016.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2017, No.05, (See Comment by Dick Stoner). Archive: Sept. 2017

https://www.nashvillefuneralandcremation.com/obituaries/james-blankenhorn

EDWARD G. “TED” STEPHANY, died January 20, 2016.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.01, Archive: Jan. 2016

J. NEAL CRENSHAW, died November 12, 2014.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.08, Archive: Nov. 2014
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2014, No.10, Archive: Dec. 2014

MILES WALSH, died in July 2013.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2013, No.05, Comments Section (over 50 comments), Archive: Aug.2013

DAVID HOWE, died November 30, 2006.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2006, No.68, Archive: Dec. 2006.
Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2007, No.30, Archive: May. 2007

KURT WAGNER, died in July 2002.

Beta Pi Blog, Vol.2016, No.02, Archive: Jan. 2016

ALEXANDER WILSON, died April 9, 1977.

Alex and Laura are buried at the Nashville National Cemetery. The cemetery is at 1420 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, TN 37115. Alex and Laura are at Section KK, Site 794.

* * *

THE ARCHIVES

* * *

HOW TO POST OR READ COMMENTS: Just click the button - Comments – below my signature block.

* * *

BETA PI BLOG ROSTER STATS: As of February 21, 2025, there are 136 ATO’s on the blog email list, including 15 Brothers whose e-mail address is unknown, plus 19 ATO Gal-Pals.

VTL,

Larry Simons

Beta Pi, 72