• I wanted to let you be the first to see the final draft of the song and verse on Kentucky Joe,  Rodger Bingham

I will be with Rodger tomorrow, he has already seen it, needless to say, and has told me to go ahead a publish it on my web site.  We will shortly cut the CD on this and the Kentucky County  Song I wrote in 1988 for our Kentucky History Tapes. 
Both Verses or below, one a tribute to my Cousin Rodger and the other a tribute to Our Commonwealth and its history,  but both inspired by the Love of my life, June and the Lord. Cousin Johnny.
The CD will be $10. Dollars & the Cassette will be $3. plus shipping & handlling
Shipping & handling will be $2. Dollars in the United States. Profits will go to
Special Olympics-Jimmy Geiman, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Make check or money order payable to June Geiman-Stephenson.
Mail to PO Box 175885 Fort. Mitchell, Kentucky 41017 Phone 859-331-4400
 
 
 

"Kentucky Joe"                  4-12-2001
His name is Rodger Bingham,  they call him Kentucky Joe
He hails from Grant County,  Crittenden is his home.
A Traveling to the Outback ole Rodger he did go,
Surviving in Australia, on that TV show.
He took with him his Bible and the Christian Faith that he did know.
Surviving in the outback was  more than just a show.
 Like Jesus, he's a carpenter, simple in his ways, but human as the 
Show Portrays, as we watched him  pray.
He helps to build a shelter, like the manger  Jesus knew 
First there was Kucha, then Barramundi too
A dry creek, as deceiving as the gentle skies above
He tried to warn them of the floods, before it was too late,
(Chorus). 
He's met all the challenges, and courage he did show,
So we're proud of you, our cousin, good ole Kentucky Joe.
But to us you're still just Rodger  a man we love to know.
Even when they call you ole Kentucky Joe.
The challenges are many, as they come and go,
High cliffs and rivers, which seem to overflow.
Snake pits and spiders and hungry crocodiles,
Never seem to change, your country boy smile.
He's met all the challenges, and courage he did show,
We're proud of you, our cousin, good ole Kentucky Joe.
But to us you're still just Rodger, a man we love to know.
Even when they call you ole Kentucky Joe.
Rodger in serving others with his gentle love, 
Brings him joy and peace  as he walks the outback trails,
His pathway,  leads to goodness and gentle self-control.
His  faith in the Lord,  is his pilot in control.
He's met all the challenges, and courage he did show,
So we're proud of you, our cousin, good ole Kentucky Joe.
But to us you're still just Rodger,  a man we love to know.
Even when they call you ole Kentucky Joe.
He has a lifetime sweetheart, Patricia is her name, she isn't quite sure what 
To do with all this  fame, but Angela and Kevin, their
Daughter and son-in-law, have served as gate keepers, handling all the calls 
His name is Rodger Bingham, they call him Kentucky Joe
He hails from Grant County,  Crittenden is His home.
He's met all the challenges, and courage he did show,
So we're proud of you, our cousin, good ole Kentucky Joe.
So we're proud of you, our cousin, good ole Kentucky Joe.
Cousin Johnny Stephenson
859-653-7000 cell859-331-4400  Web site:   www.jstephenson.com
Lyrics and music by John A Stephenson ©2001 
 

KENTUCKY COUNTY

CHORUS:        Oh! Kentucky-- Kentucky County, a place to work and play.
          CHORUS:        Oh! Kentucky-- Kentucky County, a place I want to stay.

Its' far north gate and southern trails,
Came Walker, Clark, Boone, and Kenton too.
Kentucky, she is calling, a place of history.

Indian hunting grounds, pioneer explorers,
On Kentucky flatboats, they came.
Eastern foothills, western flatlands,
Central Bluegrass and Clearwater ways.

First there were three, now a hundred and twenty,
The counties came with a horseback ride.
River gamblers, steamboat cruises, railroads and wagon trains.
Wilderness trails, to auto roads, Stubblefield's wireless to the VCR.
Without Kentucky's preachers we'd wonder where we are.

North and South they came a calling,
Lincoln and Davis, we provided both.
Blood was shed throughout her valleys,
War and feuds, she was their host.

Courthouse shining, pride goes with her,
Times are tough but full of play,
School house yearning, workers not earning,
A time to change for a better way.

Mammoth Cave is her natural wonder,
But her beauty lies in her diverse lands.
From her manmade lakes to streams and rivers,
Kentucky holds to heaven's hand.

Yearlings growing, lovers knowing,
Springtimes' coming to my Kentucky home.
A history lesson, we've been given,
The time has come for us to grow.

Lyrics and music by John A. Stephenson     © 1988