It was one of those days where the sky was deep blue above and turned brighter all the way to the horizon. Not a cloud in the sky. I was mowing.
When I mow, I listen to a playlist that I’ve creatively called “mow”. It features about 20 hours of music. Lots of songs and LPs I absolutely love and some that I want to get to know better. When I start the mower I hit “shuffle”. Somehow, the songs that were strung together perfectly reflected some things I’d been feeling lately. I’m not sure why, but it gave me goosebumps.
I was sent into a wonderful wormhole reflecting on my rock and roll family. This is a family that has literally saved my life a couple of times. This is a family that I’d go into battle with. It’s a big, tough bunch. I’m humbled every time I think of them and “us”.
My pal, Frank Funaro, who produced my “Songs To Yell To” and has played with me a few times in NYC told me once, “When we play music together, we are a gang forever.” This is so true.
For me this gang is in Indiana, Kentucky, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Seattle, Belfast, Burnley, Hartlepool, Paris, Plouharnel, and a few places in between. Folks I’ve written with, recorded with, toured with, played shows with, been walked home by, put them to bed, took advice from, and almost anything you can imagine a family of musicians, managers, producers, psychiatrists, and beyond doing with their time as we navigate the world.
I’ve lost a couple of them along the way as they moved on in the universe. I can think of only a couple of them who have had enough of me and vice-versa. Shit happens, I guess. Almost all of the time the bond and friendship are legit.
The mowing and music inspired me to take a good look at some of the things that have happened with the gang since 1977. Yep, 1977.
And, well, whether you are interested in these stories or not, I need to tell them. Firstly, I feel great when I think about these folks. Secondly, I’m working on a remotely related project (very remotely) that will be helped by this little trip down memory lane.
I don’t think I’ll have to change any names to protect the innocent.
xoxox Brick
