According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary the word celebrity means: the state of being celebrated or a famous or celebrated person.

Makes sense to me.    Now I’m not from here and I’m learning.  Honestly, most blogs I write I don’t need to do any research…have you seen my past posts?  However, this bad boy needed some research.

Since moving here to Idaho I keep hearing these “Go On” commercials.  Basically, their main message is telling high school students that you need to go to college if you want to be successful.  I agree completely.  If you want to kick ass you need to kick some ass.  Figuratively of course. 

So in honor of "Going On" I start this Top Five Local Celebrity list off with someone who went all the way:  Gary L Bennett.

  • Matthew Simantov, Flickr
    Matthew Simantov, Flickr
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    Gary L. Bennett - A Real Life Rocket Scientist.

    Born January 17, 1740 in Twin Falls, Idaho.

    A real life rocket scientist from the Magic Valley? Now back in the day the nerds (ah hem - ME) got made fun of a lot for enjoying money making activities like science. All I can say is: who's laughing now broke asses? Oh sorry, high school flashback. Back to Gary L. Bennett. Of course he worked with NASA – I’m talking Voyager, Galileo, and Ulysses space missions.  He’s a writer too.  Even found his Facebook Page. He even studied here in Idaho.  According to his Wikipedia Page:

    Bennett received his PhD in physics from Washington State University in 1970; a Master of Nuclear Science degree in 1966, and a BSC degree in physics from the University of Idaho in 1962; and an Associate of Arts degree from Boise Junior College (now Boise State University) in 1960.

    GO BRONCOS! What I really like about this dude, other then the fact that he’s damn successful and most likely still has family around here and I now have the likelihood of backing into his Mercedes. What I really like is he started small and just kept growing. Your dreams can come true anywhere.

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    Jeret "Speedy" Peterson - An Olympian

    December 12, 1981 – July 25, 2011, From Boise, Idaho

    Jeret "Speedy" Peterson is a three-time Olympian.   He rocked.  I think this video will say it way better then I can about his aerialist skillz. Yes, that’s a “Z” – That good!  Check out the video HERE. Unfortunately, he was also plagued with addiction and depression and eventually he was found dead from a self-inflicted gun shot wound in Utah. All I can say is: Local Celebrities are real people with real problems too.  No one should ever be afraid to lend an ear or helping hand.  RIP dude.

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    GaryPuckettMusic.com
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    Gary Puckett - 70's Pop Singer

    Born October 17, 1942 near Twin Falls, Idaho

    I'm sure you've at least heard Gary Puckett and the Union Gap's song "Young Girl" on our sister station KOOL 96.5.  Actually that song is stuck in my head and if you listen to the lyrics it's kinda creepy. Any who - Gary Puckett is a pop star from the 70's.  I've been out and about at Monday Night Madness Football remotes and lots of you have said "I know Gary Puckett!"  That's cool! According to GaryPuckettMusic.com:

    The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, "Young Girl" was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.

    These days Gary Puckett lives in Clearwater, Florida.  Now that's full circle.  This place has got great beaches and is about an hour away from where my family lives.

  • Nikki Sixx, SixxSense.com
    Nikki Sixx, SixxSense.com
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    Nikki Sixx - A True Rock Star

    Born December 11, 1958 and lived in Jerome, Idaho as a teen.

    I don't really need to explain why this guy is a local celebrity.  He's Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue fame.  He's a writer, designer, businessman, artists...  He's the man, the ultimate entrepreneur.  And for a time he lived and vandalized a lot of Jerome. Before he was Nikki Sixx he was Frank Carlton Serafino Feranna, Jr.  Way to shorten it up.  Now for my opinion: I love the music and from far away this guy is HOT, but when you get up close not so much. Too harsh?

  • Bowe Robert Bergdahl, News Radio 1310 KLIX
    Bowe Robert Bergdahl, News Radio 1310 KLIX
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    Bowe Robert Bergdahl - United States Army Soldier

    Born March 28, 1986 in Sun Valley, Idaho

    Bowe is one of many brave soldiers who have served our country.  We love him, we support him and I know that each one of us, just want Bowe to come home safely.  He is currently in the captivity of the Taliban and has been since June of 2009.  Bowe has made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and all of his fellow troops do so everyday.  Yes, Bowe ranks first in our top five of Magic Valley local celebrities, but so do all of the soldiers.  I'd like to send a shout out to the 116th.  The men and women of our military are rock stars.  And with the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks I appreciate more then I can say Bowe's and all of our military's sacrifices.

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