I just got online to check email and saw an article about Ronnie James Dio dying yesterday morning - he had stomache cancer. Dio was awesome, He was one of my favorites, I even saw him live at the Sports Arean back in the 80's. He will be missed for sure.

Right after reading about Dio, I thought to myself about my dear friend Jay (Jason Merritt). And even something deep inside told me he would be number 2 (deaths of people I know/love always seem to happen in 3s). Sure enough.. Not but 2 or 3 minutes after thinking that thought I got the phone call from Cheez. Jay died this morning. This really saddens me and it still hasnt even really totally sunk in yet. Just got the call a few minutes ago.

Have to call my ex (Bill) in Virginia Beach now to tell him (he and Jay were pretty close back in the day) They were in a few bands together : Savage Grace - Bill had replaced original singer Dave Heresy (aka Dave Page),and they also jammed together in a garage band called Union. Savage Grace played out at clubs alot, but unfortunatly Union never made it out of Kieth's garage.

I remember Jay used to come over our house alot when Bill and I lived together. We used to have BBQs and we would also play D&D together a few times a week, and other stuff. We even went to Michigan International Speedway together to see NASCAR and Grand Prix races.

I also have to call and inform Sam Mills(drummer who replaced Cheez in Savage Grace). And I need to call Kieth (Keyboard player for Union), as well as the first-original singer for Savage Grace (Dave Page) and a few others I need to notify. Then I need to post the sad news on Savage Grace's myspace page as well as my own myspace page for those who do not listed Savage Grace as a friend.

below is a photo I took of Jay a long time ago when we went up to Michigan Internation Speedway, he was participating in a pit crew contest (he is the one to the left rolling the tire).