Life is like an NS train

[NS Newsfeed]

When Stacey Hugo, NS manager of community outreach, couldn't sleep one night, she went online to look up new music. She searched for a favorite musician, Jason Lee McKinney, and learned that he was releasing a new album, including a track called "Norfolk Southern Trains."



Stacey reached out to Jason to learn about the song. Turns out Jason's father, John McKinney, worked for NS as a clerk in Indiana for more than 30 years. His dad was proud to be a railroader, and Jason is proud of his dad.



Jason decided to reminisce by looking through old photos shortly after his dad died a few years ago. One black and white photo captured John McKinney's bloodied face during a rugby game. At that moment, a song started to take shape in Jason's mind. He was reminded that "as time passes, we forget how cool our dad used to be or what a looker our mom was. Life is like a Norfolk Southern train. It starts out slowly, but then as it continues to roll along, it gains speed and moves faster." Jason's message is to live life to the fullest because, "like a piece of coal, you only get one life, and when it's over, that's it."



Jason collaborated with Hugo and Casey Thomason, NS chief photographer, to capture footage for a music video of the song. Recently, two dozen NS employees and their families gathered at Jason's concert in Chattanooga to appear in the video production. The NS Media Center team from McDonough, Ga., contributed train footage, as well.



The video, released last month, can be seen on ZUUS Country Music TV and on the Jason Lee McKinney Band YouTube page.



You can view it at
http://youtu.be/sps30K3zJIs.