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PCO Ronnie Caldwell in Country Gospel Music Video

When he’s not out killing pests and managing his business (along with wife Rhonda), Ronnie Caldwell, president of Innovative Pest Management, Denver, N.C., has been known to dabble in music (playing guitar) and acting.

Caldwell got a chance to test out his acting chops recently as one of the stars of the new Bruce Hedrick music video “A Better Man,” which tells the story of life’s temptations. In the video, Caldwell’s character and his on-screen wife are dining at a restaurant when he is approached by an attractive, flirtatious server.

“After the waitress visits his head is sort of ‘in the clouds’ and he neglects his wife; she gets mad and slams down her wedding ring,” Caldwell says. “He almost kisses the waitress, but instead pulls away and turns to his wife. The message is that ‘it takes a better man to walk away.’”

The song was written by David Wills — whose writing credits include the Garth Brooks single “Wild Horses,” and George Strait’s “If You’re Thinking You Want a Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)” — and Wade Kimes. They gave the song to Hedrick, a rising Nashville performer who supplied vocals for a tour called “Legends of the Opry.” Through his work in helping to organize the Denver Area Business Association’s Fireworks Festival, Caldwell became acquainted with Hedrick, who was the opening act for headliner Chris Janson.

Ronnie and Rhonda Caldwell became fans of Hedrick’s music and have recruited investors to help finance the production of his music and videos. The song “A Better Man” was recorded in Hendersonville, Tenn., but the video, directed by Tim Vogel, was filmed throughout the Denver, N.C., area, including Chillfire Bar and Grill in Denver and the Lake Norman Motel in Sherrills Ford. Also, Knight Transportation’s Charlotte terminal provided a new Volvo semi truck (and driver) for a scene that was shot on North Carolina Highway 16 (NC 16).

“We shot the video on a very tight budget, so when the director needed a male figure he asked me,” said Caldwell, whose previous acting experience included a role in a small film “The Lost Stallions,” and spots in local TV commercials.

The song “A Better Man” is available on iTunes and the video can be downloaed from YouTube at http://bit.ly/13O5151. Additionally, the video has been sent to country music cable stations GAC, TNN and CMT.

Cockroach Interrupts Pest Control Commissioner’s Testimony

The Chicago Tribune reported that in October a cockroach of “substantial size” had the nerve to scale the wall of the City Council chambers — just as the official ultimately in charge of pest extermination was testifying.

“Commissioner, what is your annual budget for cockroach abatement?” asked Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd ward), interrupting the testimony of David Reynolds, commissioner of Fleet and Facility Management. Amid much laughter, all eyes went to the west wall of the chambers, where a large, dark cockroach was set off in stark contrast to its off-white background.