Nick Is Back!

The miracle has happened. Prayers were answered. The heart surgery was successful. Nick returned to the World Famous Mojo Dojo and Hair Care products storage facility last night. A little skinnier, maybe. Just a hint of his zipper scar peeping out from his open collar. It's hard to believe that just a month ago, he had coronary arteries that were up to 97 percent blocked. He played harp and sang his signature tunes "Bug Eyed Willie" and "Urban Spawning" with verve. We intend to write a new blues about his heart sugery experience. Possible title: Zipper Man. I like that title. It's not too on the nose. It's not sentimental in any way. It should include references to having his Love Delivery System shaved by a Filipino nurse. For the record: Nick is not cleared for sexual activity of any kind, including the famous "Rattlesnake Shake." He has to be able to climb two flights of stairs first. (Another great lyrical image: "I climbed two flights of stairs/just to see you baby/It took me three months/You'd better be ready." Writing songs is easy! I feel just like Hal David at moments like this.) Dru, the new bass man, was also on hand, as was our leader, founder, drummer and primary inspiration, Kenton "KDOG" Lee. It was a short rehearsal - 6 to 7:30 p.m. The taiko drumming group had a class next door. We didn't want to cheese them off too badly. KDOG is in good shape. We've got three guys singing. Dru can actually "Tush," "All Right Now," and "Come Together" in their original keys - he can go high, much higher than Nick or myself. We're baritones. Dru is also on pitch, usually. A real musical breakthrough for this band. We're back at the mojo dojo Monday night. We're a band again. It's a relief. The last two months of civilian life reminded me why I started all this nonsense in the first place. Taxes, work, grocery shopping, bill paying, helping the church raise money and being a pillar of the community hardly provide the thrills of playing "La Grange" at maximum volume in a unheated storage space that smells like hair conditioner.
©2007 Edward D. Chance ALL RIGHTS RESERVED