ROCK n' ROLL!!!

Well, maybe it was country music but we were still jammin'. My Uncle played in a band for as far back as I can remember. He was probably the one that influenced me to pick up a guitar. I remember going to the "shop" that my Grandfather run his new towing service from to hear the band my uncle was in practice for the upcoming shows. It was awesome to a kid around the age of 7 or 8 (okay, I can't remember exactly what age but it was around 1988 or 89).

My cousin (it was his dad that played in the band) and I had the great idea that we were going to get up there with them and sing. We were in a back room plotting our debut. We choreographed our moves and practiced the lyrics. Nothing sounded better than the sound of Alabama's song "Roll On" being sung by us. Man, we hyped ourselves up and marched in there to demand our shot at stardom. Just like any other bold and brave kid would do, we faced our parents and... sheepishly asked if we could sing with them. Yea, where's the boldness and bravery? It left as soon as we walked out of that room.

They talked to the guys in the band and they were happy to oblige our request to "sit in" with the band. That's when our planning went out the window. No more choreography. No more lyrics. Every thing was forgotten as soon as we were told we could. That's is when the childhood shyness kicked in full blast. As any good parent would do they kept "encouraging" us to get up there and do our thing. After all, who would not want a good laugh at a child's expense? There is nothing more funny than a kid making a fool of themselves right?

The show did go on! Well, minus one person. My cousin refused to get up there and sing. I continued on this road to fame and fortune reluctantly. I sang my heart out! Not really but I did sing sheepishly. I made it through my first performance with pride. Unfortunately there were no record labels racing to sign me as the next George Strait. There were no fans or groupies. There was though, a feeling of accomplishment. In my own little way I did what most people nowadays would say, "I rocked my face off!"