Paul J. Batura - Author of The Paul Harvey story -

America's Family Yard Sale

2009-07-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Please join us tomorrow [Saturday July 11th] on the campus of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

As part of a nationwide event to help raise funds for family ministry, there will be hundreds of individuals selling some of their gently -- and not so gently -- used items. Come on up the hill and support a good cause.

At the same time, the Focus on the Family Bookstore has graciously invited us to participate in a book signing on campus between the hours of 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. The first one-hundred [100] purchasers of Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story will receive a complimentary hardback copy of Gadzooks! The Highly Practical Life and Leadership Principles of Dr. James Dobson.

Look forward to meeting, visiting and talking with you!

Billy Graham...A Gambler?

2009-07-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

It's true.

And now it can be told.

Dr. Billy Graham, the venerable and beloved evangelist, a giant of a man, the prince of preachers, a pastor to presidents -- once fell prey to the lure of sports betting.

You read right. Years ago, Billy Graham gambled. With real money.

At first, he resisted. "A sin" he called the act. "A fool's errand." Over the years, he repeatedly turned down the offers, however attractive or seemingly harmless they might have been at the time.

But finally, he caved. He bit the bait.

The site was the golf course at the famed Greenbriar Resort, many, many years ago.

However you spin it, anyway you slice it, Billy Graham caved to peer pressure.

He had met up with his dear friend, the late radio newsman Paul Harvey, for a round of golf. Over the years, Paul would regularly seek out Billy for private counsel. No staff, no cameras. Just two guys -- one battling fame, the other fortune; both trying desperately to remain firmly grounded.

It wasn't easy.

"Come on, Billy," Paul pressed. "How about we bet $5 on this game?"

"Sorry, can't do it," came the firm reply. "You know I believe gambling is a sin."

Determined to be the first person to convince Dr. Graham to wager, Paul didn't let up.

"O.K.," the popular radio commentator countered, "here's the deal. Whenever I play a round of golf with a celebrity, I bet them $5. But here's the catch -- I require payment in the form of a check. If I win, I keep the check, but don't cash it. Those checks are actually worth more un-cashed than cashed. What a collection of autographs I have!"

Billy is shifting, looking down at his shoes. He's thinking about this. Makes sense. Sounds like fun.

"And if you win," Paul replies, "you can have my entire collection of unsigned checks. Deal?"

With a sigh and a handshake, Billy agreed.

So, what happened?

Paul Harvey went on to win the bet and Dr. Graham wrote him a check -- a $5 check that was never cashed, but a check that for forever more served as secret evidence that even Billy Graham had a price.

But more importantly, it showed that he had a sense of humor.

God Bless You, Dr. Billy Graham.

Endorsements from Above

2009-07-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

The Good Day! National Book Tour has been going strong and steady since the title's release on May 18th. Thanks so much to the thousands who have invested in the project. It's humbling to talk with many of you across the country, especially those we've visited with at great book stores like Barnes & Noble, Borders and other independent sellers.

We've especially enjoyed our time with former Paul Harvey affiliates across the ABC Radio Network. What a great team of broadcast professionals. Paul was always proud to be heard on each and every one and we're privileged to share his story across those same airwaves.

Have you heard? We're proud to announce that Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story has received several coveted endorsements of an eternal nature. Click here to view the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAh9aubSD9Q

If you've been a fan of Paul Harvey, you might be interested to learn of some recent news we've received surrounding the future of the brand and broadcast. Stay tuned.

Good Day!

An Update

2009-05-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

We've been enjoying our book tour around America these last few days, connecting personally with the many listeners of the late great Paul Harvey -- and now readers of Good Day! Thank you for the many kind comments and encouraging words of affirmation. There is a vast reservoir of good will out there for the radio icon. It's a privilege to tap into it and hear your many wonderful stories and memories.

I hope you'll tune in to the Focus on the Family broadcast with Dr. James Dobson for the second part of a two-part discussion about Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story. You can listen online:

http://listen.family.org/daily/A000002007.cfm

Also, we're excited to talk with Steffan Tubbs and April Zesbaugh on the 50,000 watt Blowtorch of the West -- 850 KOA's Colorado's Morning News. Later on we'll be visiting with The Bill Handel Show and The Roe Conn Show.

Colorado friends might want to know we're looking forward to a talk and book signing at the Briargate Barnes and Noble, this coming Tuesday June 2nd at 7 PM. More details to follow!

The Audio Book Man

2009-05-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

I'd like to introduce you to my new friend, Mr. Terry W. Lessig, otherwise known as "The Audio Book Man."

Terry, along with his devoted wife Bonnie, are currently headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. We met several weeks ago to record the audio version of Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story. What a great time we had over the course of three days inside a small sound booth. I had never recorded a book before; I was actually afraid my delivery might come across sounding something like Ben Stein in Ferris Bueller, but just not nearly as funny. Thanks to Terry's guidance and counsel, I think we pulled it off.

You can judge for yourself by checking it out on iTunes.

An affable and easy going spirit, this good man knows his business! He was kind enough to share a terrific audio book he had previously produced. It's titled, "My First 100 Years" and was read by the author, 106 year old R. Waldo McBurney. If you'd like to inspired and entertained/enlightened, I'd highly recommend it.

You can check it and other titles out on Terry's website: www.audiobookman.com

This is a good man! Let's support and give thanks for his gifts and talents.

Tomorrow we'll be on The Bill Meyer Show at 10:10 AM EDT, Clash Radio at 11 AM EDT and Special Report with KNLS at 3:30 PM EDT.

We're just getting started. We had some exciting news today about some national television and radio appearances materializing in the coming days. Word is beginning to get out.

Thank you one and all.

Mile One...

2009-05-19T18:47:00.000-07:00

What fun it is to release a book, especially one that's been so warmly and generously received by readers. A huge thank you to those investing their time and treasure in Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story.

There were some terrific interviews today on several former Paul Harvey affiliates including the legendary WOWO-AM in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Great fun! We also spent time in Illinois, Florida, Mississippi and Pennsylvania.

You might want to check out a new commentary out today on World Net Daily entitled, "The Remarkable Relevance of Paul Harvey."

http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=98513

Tomorrow, Wednesday May 20th, we'll be back on the air all across the country. Here are a few highlights:

"Coastal Daybreak" with Ben Ball at 8:15 AM EDT, WDRC in Hartford, CT at 9:10 AM EDT, Newstalk 790 KNST at 10:06 AM EDT, The G. Gordon Liddy Show at 11 AM EDT, The David Boze Show at 12 PM EDT, Talk Back with Chuck Wilder at 3:40 PM EDT and The Afternoon Show on KFUO at 4:30 PM EDT.

And it's only just begun!

I'm grateful for your support and assistance.

Good Day!

Game Time

2009-05-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a glorious May day in Colorado Springs. The sun never left, the air stayed warm [80 degrees] and the wind never arrived. Just magnificent. After church we headed out with Riley to take in a game between the Colorado Sky Sox [AAA] and the Omaha Royals. The home team got clobbered, but we delighted in watching our son run the bases following the contest. He loved it. We did too.

We're only a few hours away from the official launch of the book. I'll do my best to keep the media appearances/interviews updated here in the event you're able to tune in and take a listen to an on-air discussion. I'm grateful for the interest in the project and especially the hospitality of those who have invited me on their great programs to talk about Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story.

We kick things off tonight [5/17] with an hour-long discussion on "The Source with Paul Anderson" at 7 PM MDT. Website: http://www.thesource.org/index.php

Tomorrow morning [Mon 5/18] I'll be joining Mancow on his nationally syndicated radio program at 7:10 AM MDT. Website: http://www.mancow.com/ . At 7:33 AM MDT I'll be with Lynne Wooley on the Lynn Wooley Show. Website: http://www.belogical.com/. Albracht in the AM follows at 8:40 AM MDT, the Bob Dutko Show at 11 AM MDT and the Marc Beanier Show at 2:20 PM.

Thanks for reading along and letting your friends know about the book.

Good News About Good Day!

2009-05-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings, my friends. I'm grateful for your visit. Hope you'll make a habit of it. You're always welcome.

We're a few days [May 18th] away from the official launch of my new book, GOOD DAY! The Paul Harvey Story. It's been years in the making but the timing couldn't be any better. What a good time for an encouraging and inspirational story. As the weather warms and the trees bloom in all their glory, maybe you'll be looking for an uplifting read. Perhaps you'd like to lift a few spirits and pass along a book about one of America's good guys. Personally, I think it's the perfect book for the beach, pool, park or porch.

I was humbled when Paul Harvey once called me a "treasured friend" but now it's the thrill of my writing career to be the first [and only] author to tell his story. This title is the definitive biography on this giant gentleman of the airwaves. I've spent time with him, visited and walked the streets of his youth, interviewed friends and former colleagues and uncovered wildly fascinating facts about the man who sat behind his golden microphone for 76 years.

But this is not just Paul Harvey's story. The story of Paul Harvey is the story of America. Readers of Good Day! will be inspired, encouraged and convicted to embrace and recommit themselves to the American miracle.

The national media/publicity tour kicks off next week with appearances on shows all around the country. I can't wait to talk with you.

Due in tomorrow is a feature interview with well known and highly respected radio executive and writer Al Peterson in his publication, News Talk Radio Online. I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for reading along. Please help spread the good news about Good Day! The Paul Harvey Story.