By Charles Melton
Melton’s Musings
Few songs resonate more with me than Casey Donahue’s “Bad Guy.” Casey’s a native Texan just like I am, and he sings real country music and not that bro country or pop country or whatever it is that country music has come to be these days.
It’s not that I ever wanted to be the bad guy, but inevitably, it happens or at least it’s happened that way for the last 30 years. During a recent interview I did for a story, the subject spoke about living intentionally and making choices with intention instead of based on immediate gratification. That struck a chord with me. A loud chord. It’s why, once again, I’m a bad guy like Casey’s lyrics below so eloquently spell out.
Like these guitar strings
I’ll always change my tune
I’ll swear to what you want
And I’ll promise you the moon
You do your best to change my heart
But broken always falls apart
It won’t matter how hard you try
Maybe I’m just a bad guy, I don’t know why
But you’ll curse the day we met
I’ll be your downfall ’til it’s last call
And I’m not coming home to you
And I’ll break everything you love and make you cry
’Cause baby, I’m just a bad guy
When I moved to Hutchinson more than four months ago from Washington, D.C., I told myself that I was done moving for a long time. This is where I’m supposed to sink roots and build something lasting instead of riding in, saving the day and leaving town. This is my town. This isn’t another rest stop on my journey. This is my final destination. No matter what anyone else thinks about it. This is it. Period.
I retired at the top in Washington, D.C., so I have no desire nor need to go back and run in those circles full-time anymore. If they want me, they can come here to Hutchinson, Kan., to do business with me. I don’t mind going up there for a few days, but Hutchison is home. Home, as in where I plant roots and grow and become a part of the community. Not home, as in this is where I sleep for a year or so, and bounce. This is my lasting home. I’m about to become a member of the Hutchinson Noon Lions Club, and Brews with the News the first Friday of the month is my monthly event to bring the community together. I’m more invested in Hutchinson and Reno County than I’ve been invested anywhere else in my adult life. I’m staying.
So for all those who have dreams and fantasies about making offers so good that I would leave Hutchinson and Reno County, I’m not coming home to you cause I’m just a bad guy. Bad for you but great for all The Hutchison Tribune’s readers. Come to the next Brews with the News from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 3 at Sandhills Brewing in downtown Hutchinson. Have a beer and let’s talk about whatever’s on your mind. The first 25 beers are on me.
Charles Melton is the news editor of The Hutchinson Tribune. He can be reached at charles@hutchtribune.com.