This particular “Chapter” of my blog actually takes a short break from the narrative and recounting of my life. I wanted to let you know where future chapters will take you, what I hope this blog will lead to, and how you can help.
Beginning with Chapter 10 my story will generally be told in chronological order from my birth up until today. The exceptions will be chapters concerning my wife D'Anna's and my son Marlin III and his valiant cancer battle, and my own personal struggles with depression and alcohol abuse. Those will be the hardest chapters to write, I think for obvious reasons, and will be towards the end.
So where do I hope for this to lead? As I have previously stated, my initial goal is to inspire and entertain those of you who initially follow my blog. If I feel like we're successful in doing that, I could look into possibly finding a publisher and making the blog a book. Another potential opportunity, that several friends have already suggested, is doing an audio version of my blog in my own voice.
Understand this, I have always tried to approach life with a “shoot for the stars” attitude. Set the bar HIGH! In doing so you might have to lower expectations at some point, but if you set the bar LOW it's almost guaranteed that's where you'll end up at best. I've tried to express that philosophy to others along the way. To step outside your comfort zone. That if your dream doesn't scare you a little bit, it's not BIG enough! GO BIG or GO HOME!!
Which brings me to the ultimate goal which would be an extension of this blog and then some. To begin producing, from our home, a world-wide podcast called “The Marlin Show” with the promo line of “Catch The Big Fish! The broadcast would be, as with my blog, inspirational and entertaining. I can 100% guarantee you there would be no shortage of big names as guests from all forms of entertainment, sports, politics, and ordinary folks who have a compelling story to tell. I have been doing what I do a loooong time, know how to make connections, and have done hundreds of interviews over a 50-year period.
With that in mind, I want to share with you an example of what the podcast could be: An interview I did with the man Eric Clapton called “the world's greatest guitarist”, Tommy Emmanuel. Tommy was booked to be part of the incredible lineup (which also included Wynonna Judd and Joe Nichols) I had put together for the Calumet Theatre, before the Theatre board pulled the plug on our season announcement the day before it was to take place and canned me three days later!
Thanks to my good friend John Snyder, who was Operations Manager at the Theatre when I was Executive Director, for handling the production elements of this clip. We would definitely improve the production values of our broadcast, as we were limited at the Theatre, but I think you'll get the general idea. By the way, I never write down questions for interviews. Instead I do my research, and much like all my radio shows, wing it from there.
So where do you come in? I have established a Go Fund Me Page to perhaps help with these projects, but more pressing and important at the moment is getting some help with my mounting medical bills. We definitely could use the help but I hate just asking for a handout, so I figure that I can offer something in return that you can enjoy by recounting my incredible, but improbable life story. I never worked long enough for a business that provided any decent retirement, I am on Social Security & very limited on any work I may be able to do right now. Even with Medicare, medical bills continue to pile up, along with the expense of everyday living. Our family has never lived beyond our means & certainly not now. I've had numerous scans (with more to come), am going through 12 rounds of chemo infusions, followed by a month of chemo & radiation pills, that to possibly be followed by an ileostomy which would require me wearing an ileostomy bag for at least 6 weeks. The amount listed as a goal on the Go Fund Me page is strictly arbitrary, but not above what we could use. You can help by scrolling to the bottom of my Homepage, Blog Chapter Page, or at the bottom of each chapter and clicking on the link.
The outpouring of love and support I have received, not only through my cancer journey but throughout much of my life is truly humbling. I am so blessed too have so many wonderful friends and a great family. I deeply appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support. Sincere thanks, much love and may God bless each and everyone of you!

Add comment
Comments
I know what you mean about the medical. I’m thinking about opening an account also for the lung transplant. James is also going to have another surgery next month. All these CT scans with their copays is enough. Certainly will pray for all of us.🙏🏼
A brief encounter in high school created a lifelong bond. It was our passion for music and the seeming desire to orate parroting the hip DJ sounds we heard on TV commercials and our favorite station jocks. Bimbo and Blue Moon will go down in infamy and forever cement our relationship. From there I took my DJ prowess to the 50's and 60's Hotspot called the Time Tunnel where I honed a short lived DJ stint with Houston's "Crash" Collins in 1979. From there I found a niche in the world of data processing that took me to San Diego. All along this journey my music passion grew. Around 1978 I started taking cameras to concerts capturing moments in time documenting musical history of my favorite artists. Through my early years at local Houston concerts, I continued capturing shows here and there in San Diego. Being a high school band geek (trumpet and tuba) I maintained a passion for playing teaching myself guitar and harmonica. While paying the bills with technology income my real passions of music and photography continued to grow providing me with unparalleled fulfillment and opportunities . I added professional sports to my photography resume. Fast forward to present day 2025 through the magic of social media I have reconnected with the man of many names, Mr Marlin Lee. To me he is "friend!" I have come back home to Htown and so far have only had one very special meeting with you, many Facebook notes back and forth. I pray for more personal encounters. With me I I have broght my passions of music and photography. I perform often at music jams around town and have connected with the local media to cover professional sports and top musical performing artists throughout the State of Texas.
I would love the opportunity to jump on the bus with ya Marlin to help document your life and future.
I love ya brother and pray for you often!!
Bimbo