John Schneider remembers three friends who died from AIDS...

John Schneider's appearance at the AIDS Walk Los Angeles rally on Sunday morning was so moving that I wanted to do another post on it now that I have photos (taken by me!) to go along with it.

Schneider has had a successful Broadway career since the days of "Dukes of Hazzard" and displayed why when he sang a soaring and heartfelt version of Rogers & Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone" which is traditionally sung just before the
walkers embark on their journey.

Schneider also payed tribute to three close friends who died of AIDS. I spoke with him later about it and he said three men named Brad, Phil and Otis were his inspiration for participating in the AIDS walk.

"It's a way for me to thank those three gentlemen for loving me," he said. "Brad, best friend in the world all though "Dukes of Hazzard," all through that. Wouldn't be here if it weren't for Phil who produced the original "Dukes of Hazzard." Without Otis, I never
could have gotten through my time on Broadway. Men that I loved, that loved me."

"This is a cause that needs people's help," he added. "We need education. We need treatment, yeah. But what we really need is education because without education, people will just continue to do the things that exacerbate the problem."

John is adamant that anyone with HIV-AIDS have access to the care and the treatment they need: "For anyone one to deny that these are people are worthy of health and assistance and love is the most ludicrous tning I've ever heard. We need to be here whether you're gay or you're straight, whether you're Republican or Democrat it doesn't make any difference. Absolutely doesn;t make any difference whatsoever."