Former AGs call for dismissal of corruption charges against Bob McDonnell

Democratic and Republican attorneys general from Virginia are calling for dismissal of corruption charges against former Governor Bob McDonnell. Reporter Olympia Meola with the Richmond Times-Dispatch wrote:

Democrats Andrew P. Miller, Mary Sue Terry and Stephen D. Rosenthal join Republicans J. Marshall Coleman and Mark L. Earley in the filing, arguing that the “expansive interpretation of federal law” on which counts 1-11 are based “is completely alien to any legal advice that any of us would have given to any governor of Virginia.”

Earlier this week the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers called for dismissal of 11 of the 14 charges, citing that federal prosecutors are overstepping in a state issue.

Part II: What the government didn't say in the McDonnell indictment

... is that their case is built upon a questionable witness.

See also Part I.

The Restoration Fund notes that the Government indictment against Governor McDonnell is long on sensationalism and short on facts or the law.  Perhaps this is because the bulk of the case is built upon the claims from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams, a man with over three decades of legal and ethical problems.

Democratic strategist Paul Goldman has some very interesting thoughts (see below) about this case, definitely worthy of reading especially for the research and investigative hounds in the media and blogger ranks.

Bob McDonnell's legal team lays it out in Part II.

As previously noted, an outside audit from a former Democratic Attorney General and a Washington Post FOIA request have already confirmed that Star Scientific nor Jonnie Williams received any tangible benefit.

But who is Jonnie Williams?

Former Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Paul Goldman penned an excellent analysis on Jonnie Williams and his "playing the prosecutors" on the case regarding Governor Bob McDonnell.

Mr. Goldman also refers to the "curious media failure" that has largely ignored the mountain of questionable ethical, business and legal problems that have followed Mr. Willliams for over three decades. Bob McDonnell's reputation built over four decades of public service to Virginia and the nation, in the U.S. Army, as a prosecutor, Delegate, Attorney General, and now Governor, is being directly challenged by the government's indictment. It is only fair that his accuser be given the proper examination to weigh the validity and truthfulness of the claimant.

Please take time to read the excerpts of Goldman's story below and the link to WTVR's story.

If you wish to support the Governor during this period and want to contribute to his legal defense fund, please visit us at www.restorationfundva.com

The Restoration Fund

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GOLDMAN: Were federal prosecutors conned into pursuing Governor McDonnell?

Excerpts from Paul Goldman's research.

"I didn't vote for Republican Governor Bob McDonnell. But something never 'smelled' right about the unprecedented Department of Justice's relentless investigation into a popular Republican Governor during a gubernatorial election year.

"There isn't much genuine bipartisanship left anymore on tough issues. So it seemed useful for me to prepare an article showing the McDonnell investigation had not actually tainted the election outcome prior to today's results.

"But the research -- on my own without any compensation -- revealed a troubling picture I frankly never expected. All avenues of research confirmed the Washington Post's observation that the 'key question for prosecutors is who is most believable about the interactions between the governor and Williams.' "

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Prior to the McDonnell investigation, Star Scientific faced a relentless federal probe into years of questionable company stock transactions. This probe could have proven ruinous to Star along with Mr. Williams. But once Star's founder began fully cooperating with the Governor's pursuers, the securities probe seemingly faded away, the company telling shareholders not to worry.

As famed New York Yankee catcher Yogi Berra once said, some things are simply too coincidental to be a coincidence.

A CURIOUS MEDIA FAILURE

With all due respect to reporters who have covered this unprecedented story, the inexplicable failure by the Virginia media to provide the necessary in-depth profile examinations of Mr. Williams is self-evident. He claims to know evidence capable of taking down the Virginia Governor. An "MRI" examination into Mr. Williams thus became a basic journalistic obligation. His relevant history discussed below is easily accessible to any interested journalist.

It leads to the next question, "Is it possible prosecutors are equally in the dark or possess insufficient interest in this history?"

Moreover, federal prosecutors have ready access to countless federal and state documents not available to me over the Internet, assuming someone even knew they existed. The mainstream media also given their resources and confidential sources.

Given this failure, the people of Virginia have been left without the necessary information as regards the answer to the fundamental question: Just who, the heck, is the real Jonnie Williams?  

He has been called a "genius" with "an uncanny ability" to see a central path to a solution that other highly trained people have missed.

On the other hand, the website cites a little-known newspaper article quoting a former employee of Williams saying, "Jonnie Williams could sell a snowball to an Eskimo."

However, "when it came to backing up what he was selling, now that was another story. Let's face it, he was a salesman through and through." This description, given repeatedly during his business career, comes from a newspaper story about him in 1981.  
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GOLDMAN: 

 "PLAYING THE PROSECUTORS"

Prosecutors apparently believe Williams' claims that McDonnell tried to get the Virginia Tobacco Commission to fund Star-friendly research. But Williams' lawyer is twin brother to a long-time Commission powerbroker, now its Chairman. Why would he need the Governor? Besides, a search of the Commission website suggests those types of projects didn't  readily if ever received funding.

Judge Sol Wachtler famously said a prosecutor can indict a "ham sandwich." But would any sensible prosecutor invest money with Mr. Williams or tell a sick relative to stop taking prescription medicine and switch to a Star product?

From his earliest days as a legendary used car salesman in Fredericksburg, everyone recognized Jonnie Williams had the "gift."   Mr. James Sealey, a businessman who said the super salesman skipped town owing him thousands, still marveled.  "That guy could sell you anything. I mean anything," he said. "Let's face it," he added with a grin, "Jonnie could talk his way out of anything." 

"He was a very slick salesman," said David Muller, who competed with Williams back in the 1990's. Williams is "the guy who could sell snowballs in Alaska," Muller told Bloomberg News. 

Sensing prosecutors believed McDonnell "dirty," did Jonnie cleverly put a different "spin" on benign yet dumb actions to get them to give him a "get out of jail" free card? Given his history, at a minimum any reasonable person must have substantial and legitimate concerns.

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FULL GOLDMAN/WTVR Story can be found here:  http://wtvr.com/2013/11/05/goldman-were-federal-prosecutors-conned-into-pursuing-governor-mcdonnell/ 

Part I: What the government didn't say in the McDonnell indictment

... was that an outside audit confirmed that Star Scientific and Jonnie Williams received nothing of value.

While media outlets are splashing sensational headlines about the government indictment, they are short on facts or the law, and ignore the McDonnells' side of the story. It's been interesting to follow the details of this case that are ignored by many in the mainstream media ... the piling on has overtaken the good this man has done for decades which some will feel is deserved. I don't happen to be one of them.

The Restoration Fund, Bob McDonnell's legal team, is reviewing the government's allegations and how far short they fall under serious analysis. Following is Part I of their assessment.

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PART I:  What the Government indictment failed to mention is that.......
Outside Audit Confirms:  Williams & Star Received Nothing

April 29th, the Washington Post reported, and subsequently buried on paragraph 14,  that a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request has already confirmed that "Star Scientific" has not received a dime in state incentive grants or any other financial incentive under the McDonnell Administration.[1]  This critical information has already been subjected to numerous FOIA requests yet it has been largely ignored by the media and under-reported to the people of Virginia.

On July 18th, an external audit report was conducted by former Democratic Attorney General Anthony Troy to determine  a) whether Jonnie Williams or any of his affiliated businesses, including Star Scientific, Inc., (collectively, "Star Scientific) received any "public funds, grants, contracts or appointments" and b) whether any gubernatorial appointments were made to any officers or employees of Star Scientific.

This audit report vindicated Governor McDonnell and concluded:

§  A) Neither Jonnie Williams or any officer or employee of Star Scientific received a single grant, contract or a dollar of funds from the Officer of the Governor, the State Department of Health, the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Secretary of Agriculture, any universities under the Secretary of Education, the Secretary of Public Safety or Secretary of Technology.  In short, this audit confirmed that Star Scientific received nothing of value from the McDonnell Administration. 

§  B) Neither Jonnie Williams or any officer or employee of Star Scientific has ever been appointed to a Commonwealth board or commission.
 

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[1] "Star Scientific does not appear to have received state incentive grants or other financial assistance during McDonnell's term, according to documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the leading state agency that manages such programs." - Washington Post, April 29, 2013

Bob McDonnell has been subjected to selective leaks, shoddy reporting, and a media that ignores critical facts in attempt to destroy a man with over four decades of public services to America and the Commonwealth. Whether this is another disturbing patter from the Eric Holder Justice Department to attack, smear and investigate successful Republican Governors remains to be seen.

The facts remain that outside groups and audits have confirmed that Star Scientific nor Jonnie Williams received any tangible benefit.  It is a shame the media has failed the general public in omitting or diminishing these critical facts.

The Restoration Fund
http://www.restorationfundva.com/

McDonnell defense challenges federal charges

From The Restoration Fund: Governor Bob McDonnell's legal team filed their first public motions in response to the government's wrongful indictment built upon a witness with no credibility. Please take the time to click on the below links which directly challenges the entire foundation of the government's case.

"Bob McDonnell is an innocent man.  He never entered into an illegal agreement with Mr. Jonnie Williams or Star Scientific, nor did he ever promise or provide them any official benefits.  To bring today's indictment, the federal government has concocted a never-before-used legal theory manufactured for the sole purpose of prosecuting Governor McDonnell and his wife.  This new theory contravenes settled judicial precedent and disregards longstanding Virginia law and practice, seeking to punish the McDonnells for conduct that was legal before today.  The government's rickety legal foundation, moreover, underlies a precarious factual case, built largely from immunized testimony purchased with under-the-table promises to a key witness who would otherwise face criminal liability and massive financial penalties.  The federal government's decision to use these deceitful tactics in order to prosecute a popular and successful Republican Governor immediately upon his leaving office is disgraceful, violates basic principles of justice, and is contemptuous of the citizens of Virginia who elected him." 

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To read the complete background on this case, click on the two links below.

Defense Motion 1
Defense Motion 2

See also the following from respected DC attorney Chris Ashby: 10 quick thoughts on the case against Bob McDonnell.

Related:
- Former Governor Bob McDonnell calls charges false, holds press conference.

'Tis the season for Christmas tree farms

Linda Jones and Joe Freeman of Mistletoe Meadows Tree Farm deliver Christmas tree to Virginia Executive Mansion in 2010. With First Lady Maureen McDonnell.

So you may not be ready to pick out a Christmas tree today but it's not too late to be thinking about this year's purchase. After all, there's only 35 days until Christmas as the countdown clock shows.

Here's a list of Virginia Christmas tree retailers: Virginia Grown Christmas Trees.

Here's a list of Christmas tree farms in the Staunton area: Staunton Christmas Tree Farms.

Gather the family and have fun! 'Tis the season....

McDonnells receive avalanche of pumpkins at Virginia Executive Mansion

Photos courtesy of Michaele White, Governor’s Photographer

Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell received a delivery of several hundred Virginia pumpkins Thursday from the Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association and its members.  Growers from the Brann/King Farm in Riner, Ashland Berry Farm in Beaverdam, and Cassell Farm in Laurel Fork donated pumpkins, gourds, and other decorative items to the governor and his staff to show how locally-grown pumpkins are fresh, nutritious, and how they support the local economy.

58 historical Virginia homes open free of charge this weekend

Virginia's Executive Mansion, Richmond

Free admission to select historic homes this weekend

This is a great weekend to head out and explore 58 of Virginia's historic homes free of charge. What a fantastic opportunity to get an up-close-and-personal look at the Commonwealth's Executive Mansion, Edgar Allen Poe Museum, the Dooley Mansion in Richmond's Maymont Park, homes of our historical figures such as Patrick Henry and Light Horse Harry Lee, taverns, the coast guard station in Virginia Beach, and many other homes and mansions from the coast to the mountains and everywhere else in the Old Dominion. Best of all, admission is waived Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2013. The listing of all 58 homes is here.

Virginia is for history lovers!

From the Governor's website:

In celebration of the Executive Mansion's 200th Anniversary, Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnell declared 2013 the "Year of the Historic Home." There are over 120 sites scattered across Virginia classified as Historic Homes that span from pre-Colonial times through the Modern era, all of which provide an abundance of cultural, historical, and architectural information and promote an understanding of, as well as an interest in, Virginia’s story.

To further promote the Year of the Historic Home effort, in the spring of 2013, seven historic homes across Richmond came together in a collaborative effort to open their doors admission-free to the public for an entire weekend to "Time Travel through Virginia History." Because of the successes and benefits experienced from the spring promotional weekend, the homes throughout Richmond are coming together to host this collaborative weekend in the fall, as are over 50 homes throughout Virginia. 

Exclusively during the weekend of September 14 and 15, 2013, Virginia’s most renowned historic homes and museums will be open free to the public, in support of theYear of the Historic Home. 

"My husband and I have been thrilled with the excitement surrounding the Year of the Historic Home," said First Lady Maureen McDonnell. "The spring success of the Historic Home Promotional Weekend in Richmond came as a pleasant surprise, and promoting this initiative in September as a statewide effort is extremely exciting and promises great results.  We encourage you to print your passport and visit these historical sites, which have been home to many of America’s Founding Fathers, U.S. presidents, and many other important figures."

A list of the participating homes follows as well as details of each home,and their hours of operation on September 14 and 15, please visit our Learn page. Please don’t forget to visit our "time travelers" page and print your passport in order to be granted free admission.

Governor will host 2013 Virginia Wine Summit

Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that he and First Lady Maureen McDonnell will host the second annual Virginia Wine Summit on Monday, October 28, 2013 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond.  The event, which will feature famed British wine critic, author, and television personality Oz Clarke, will bring together wine experts and industry leaders from around the country to discuss the current and future state of Virginia wine.  In addition, the summit will feature Virginia wine pairings with culinary offerings, including Virginia oysters.  Panels, tastings, and discussions will be held throughout this day-long event.

 

Commenting on the event, Governor McDonnell stated, “The continued success of Virginia wine means more good jobs and economic opportunities for Virginians. Sales of Virginia wine are at an all time high with sales up more than 23% since 2010.  The Virginia Wine Summit quickly has become an important component of my administration’s efforts to promote Virginia’s outstanding wines. Because of our efforts, the Commonwealth is becoming the East Coast capital for wine and wine tourism.  We are very fortunate to have the internationally regarded wine expert Oz Clarke visit our great Commonwealth and be our keynote speaker. Oz, who I met in London several years ago on during a trade mission, and the Summit’s other notable speakers will undoubtedly help raise the profile of our wines to an even higher level.”

 

In addition to Clarke’s (www.ozclarke.com) keynote address, the Virginia Wine Summit will feature some of the nation’s foremost influential wine professionals, including:  Dave McIntyre of The Washington Post; Andrew Hoover, a Virginia wine specialist for Wine Enthusiast; Chef Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen (Baltimore, MD); Sommelier Charlie Berg of Blue Hill Stone Barns (Pocantico Hills, NY); Sommelier Michael Madrigale of Bar Boulud, Epicierie Boulud & Boulud Sud (New York); Sommelier Steven Grubbs of Empire State South (Atlanta, GA) & Five and Ten (Athens, GA); Sommelier Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve (Alexandria, VA); Master of Wine and founder of the Capital Wine School Jay Youmans; and Master Sommelier Kathy Morgan.  These experts will inform an audience filled with winemakers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, connoisseurs, media, wine-shop owners, and other industry professionals.

 

Summit attendees will take part in panel discussions with topics ranging from wine pairings with signature Virginia foods like ham and peanuts, ageability of Virginia wines, “Bang For Your Buck”, and an in-depth analysis and tastings of key Virginia varietals, such as Cabernet Franc, Viognier, and others. A Virginia wine and oyster panel will be sponsored by the Virginia Tourism Corporation and led by a team of wine professionals that will discuss the pairing, as Virginia’s oysters have also had a record breaking harvest this year.

 

“The Virginia wine industry is coming off its most successful year ever,” said Todd Haymore, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry.  “Domestic and international sales reached an all-time high, record numbers of people visited our wineries, and major publications, such as Decanter and the New York Times, featured glowing articles on our wines and wineries.  In addition, last October’s first ever summit, which featured world-renowned wine critic Steven Spurrier, was an overwhelming success that helped bring together a wide variety of wine industry opinion leaders to discuss this fast emerging global wine region. The Governor, First Lady, and I, working in partnership with our wineries and vineyards, are looking to build on that success this year starting with the second annual Virginia Wine Summit, where we’ll proudly showcase our wines with the nation and the world.”

 

Virginia currently ranks fifth in the number of wineries in the nation with more than 230. Virginia is also tied with Texas as the nation's fifth largest wine grape producing states. According to a 2012 economic impact study, the Virginia wine industry employs more than 4,700 individuals and contributes almost $750 million to the Virginia economy on an annual basis. In addition, more than 1.6 million tourists, a record high, visited Virginia wineries in 2011. Earlier this month Governor McDonnell announced that Virginia wines reached a new record sales level with more than 511,000 cases sold in fiscal year 2013.  That figure represents a five percent increase over the previous fiscal year.  Export sales, mostly to China and Great Britain, increased by 74 percent during the same period, from approximately 3,300 cases to more than 5,800 cases.

 

To register for the Virginia Wine Summit, and for more information, please visit www.virginiawinesummit.com. Additional speakers and more information will continue to be announced on the site in the coming weeks.  For more information about the Virginia wine industry, please visit the Virginia Wine Marketing Office's website at http://www.virginiawine.org/ or call 804-344-8200.

 

Governor Bob McDonnell: 'I wish all Virginians a happy and safe Fourth of July'

From Governor Bob McDonnell in observance of Independence Day:

It was a Virginian, Richard Henry Lee, who 237 years ago brought forth a resolution stating ‘Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.’  That resolution led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, by Virginia’s second governor, Thomas Jefferson.  The Declaration, adopted on July 4, 1776, marks the birth of American freedom, and the timeless principles that continue to govern this great nation: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“Tomorrow, Americans will continue to celebrate our independence with fireworks, parades and picnics.  As we celebrate with our family, friends and neighbors, let us also pause to remember our service members who have gone before us while protecting our great nation.  And let us also recognize the brave men and women who continue to protect our freedom and liberty, both at home and around the world, and pray for their safe return.  May we never forget, freedom is not free.

“Tomorrow, in recognition of our active, reserve and National Guard service members, their families and all veterans living in Virginia, Maureen and I will be attending the first annual ‘Fourth at the Fort’ open house at the Fort Monroe Freedom Support Center.

The Freedom Support Center, a Department of Veteran Services program, developed by Maureen and her tremendous team as part of her Serving Our Service Member Families initiative, provides assistance to military members such as one-stop access to benefits and programs and career planning and guidance, and support for families whose service members are deployed.

During this event, we will celebrate those who have given so much to protect this nation, and those who are on the front lines of freedom still today, culminating with music and fireworks at the beach hosted by USAA and the Fort Monroe Foundation. I hope active duty and veteran military and their families in the area will join us for this patriotic event in honor of our men and women in uniform: our American heroes.

“I wish all Virginians a happy and safe Fourth of July.”

For more information about “Fourth at the Fort” please visit: http://www.fmauthority.com/

McDonnells showcase Virginia wines in California

SAN FRANCISCO – Governor Bob McDonnell welcomed top wine and travel journalists and industry leaders at a special event March 27 in San Francisco to promote Virginia’s wine, tourism and film industries. The event showcased 12 wines which medaled in the newly revamped Virginia Governor’s Cup Competition along with several Virginia wines and foods which are distributed in the San Francisco Bay area.  The event marked the first time the Virginia Governor’s Cup winning wines were featured outside of Virginia. 
 

“We were honored to bring these award-winning wines to the West Coast as part of our administration’s efforts to grow the Virginia wine industry, promote tourism, and encourage film and production in Virginia,” said Governor McDonnell.  “The growth of these industries is key to keeping Virginia’s economy strong and providing good, quality jobs for Virginians.”

 

The Virginia wineries featured at the San Francisco event were: Barboursville Vineyards, Bluestone Vineyard, Delfosse Vineyards & Winery, Glen Manor Vineyards, Jefferson Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, King Family Vineyards, Potomac Point Winery, Tarara Winery, Trump Winery, Veritas Vineyard & Winery and White Hall Vineyards.  The event also featured Virginia foods, several of which are distributed in California, including cheeses from Everona Dairy and Meadow Creek Dairy, Royal Oak Peanuts, Olli Salumeria, Chesapeake Bay Packaging scallops, Ayrshire Farm beef, and hams from S. Wallace Edwards & Sons.

 

Raising the profile of Virginia wines and wine tourism are key components of the governor's economic development and jobs creation initiatives. The governor has promoted Virginia wines at the Virginia Executive Mansion and throughout Virginia, on other domestic business recruitment visits, and on international trade and marketing missions to India, Israel, and countries in Europe and Asia. First Lady Maureen McDonnell has also incorporated wine and wine tourism promotions into her First Lady Initiative Team Effort or FLITE.

 

“I admire Governor McDonnell's continuing commitment to promoting Virginia wine by doing so on the doorstep of California wine country,” said Bartholomew Broadbent, proprietor of Broadbent Selections, Inc., a global wine importer/distributor with operations in Virginia and California. “San Francisco has always been a very accepting, cosmopolitan wine market where wines from around the world earn their place in American hierarchy.”

 

Virginia is home to more than 200 wineries statewide and is fifth in the nation for wine grape production.  A newly released economic impact study shows that Virginia's burgeoning wine industry contributes almost three-quarters of a billion dollars - or $747 million - annually to Virginia's economy.  Virginia wineries and vineyards support 4,800 jobs that provide $156 million total in wages.

 

“Last night’s event and related meetings in California are important steps in the governor’s strategic initiative to make Virginia the premiere East Coast destination for wine and wine tourism,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore. “In addition to work done already in key domestic markets such as Washington, DC, New York and Chicago, the time is right to look at San Francisco, one of the most influential wine centers in the United States, to expand the reach of the Virginia wine industry.”

 

Tourism is a key aspect of the Virginia wine industry, with more than 1.6 million visitors including a visit to a Virginia winery on a trip. Wine travel in Virginia has gained many recent accolades. Virginia was recently named one of the ten best wine travel destinations in the world for 2012 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.  Articles about wine travel in Virginia have also appeared recently in Southern Living, AAA World and USA Today.

 

Tourism is an instant revenue generator for Virginia.  In 2010 tourism generated $19 billion in revenue, supported 204,000 jobs and provided $1.2 billion in state and local taxes.  Virginia is eighth in the nation for domestic visitor spending.

 

The Virginia Film Office is part of the state’s tourism office and has had recent success luring major motion pictures to Virginia as a result investments by Governor McDonnell and the General Assembly for the Governor’s Motion Picture Opportunity Fund.  The production of Steven Spielberg’s biopic Lincoln, which was filmed 100 percent in Virginia, had an estimated $35 million economic impact for Virginia.  The direct and indirect impact of Virginia's motion picture and video production industry in 2009 was $346 million, representing 2,700 jobs for the state.

 

Visit www.Virginia.org to learn more about wine travel and other destinations across the state or call 1-800-VISITVA to request a free, Virginia is for Lovers travel guide.  Visit www.VirginiaWine.org to get more information on Virginia wines including wineries, varietals and special events statewide. 

In memory of Frank Gardner

In 2003 Dan Fogelberg was asked about the origin of the self-written song, "Leader of the Band," and this was his response:

"Leader of the Band" was written for my father Lawrence Fogelberg who was a musician, educator, and band leader. I was so gratified that I was able to give him that song before he passed on. In his final years he was interviewed many times by the national press because of it. He went out in a blaze of glory, which meant a lot to me and my family.

Music speaks to us in a way nothing else can. This song is poignant, a son singing about his father. Virginia's First Lady Maureen McDonnell has said "Leader of the Band" was her dad's favorite song. This is in memory of her father, Frank Gardner ... classic Fogelberg in Houston, 1982....

Leader of the Band

A lonely child, alone and wild
a cabinet maker's son
His hands were meant for different work
and his heart was known to none
He left his home
and went his lone and solitary way
And he gave to me
a gift I know I never can repay.

A quiet man of music
denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
but his music wouldn't wait
He earned his love through discipline
a thundering velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls
took me years to understand

The leader of the band is tired
and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
to imitate the man
I'm just the living legacy
to the leader of the band.

My brother's lives were different
for they heard another call
One went to Chicago
and the other to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado
when I'm not in some hotel
Living out this life I've chosen
And grown to know so well.

I thank you for the music
and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom
when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness
and the times when you got tough
And papa I dont think I've said
I love you near enough.

The leader of the band is tired
and his eyes are growing old
But his blood runs through my instrument
and his song is in my soul
My life has been a poor attempt
to imitate the man
I'm just the living legacy
to the leader of the band.

I am the living legacy
to the leader of the band...